XCOM reboot announced, is an FPS

Hot off the wire tonight comes an announcement from 2K Games that the long-rumored reboot of the XCOM franchise is, in fact, a reality. Not only that, but the title -- coming to the PC and Xbox 360 -- is being developed by the talented guys at 2K Marin, responsible for nearly achieving the impossible by making a BioShock sequel that didn't ultimately herald the apocalypse.

That's the good news. What's the bad news? Well, it might not be bad news depending on your perspective, but I'm less than totally thrilled that the game will be in first-person. I have so many fond memories of moving about my little suited guys and watching them get killed because I was never particularly good at the game that... well, alright. I'd probably actually be able to finish an FPS version, so that might not be such a bad thing.

Nevertheless, it's a new direction and that's liable to rub people the wrong way. Are you one of said people, or does this news still excite without tarnish?

Award-winning developers set their sights on re-imagining the suspense, tension and fear of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises only on Xbox 360 and Windows PC

New York, NY – April 14, 2010– 2K Games announced today that XCOM®,the re-imagining of one of gaming’s most storied and beloved franchises,is currently in development at 2K Marin, the studio behind the multi-million unit selling BioShock® 2.Currently in development exclusively for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC, XCOM combines the strategic core of the groundbreaking franchise with a suspense-filled narrative and distills it into a tense and unique first-person shooter experience.

“With BioShock 2, the team at 2K Marin proved themselves as masters of first-person, suspenseful storytelling, and with XCOM they will re-imagine and expand the rich lore of this revered franchise,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Players will explore the world of XCOM from an immersive new perspective and experience firsthand the fear and tension of this gripp
ing
narrative ride.”

XCOM is the re-imagining of the classic tale of humanity’s struggle against an unknown enemy that puts players directly into the shoes of an FBI agent tasked with identifying and eliminating the growing threat. True to the roots of the franchise, players will be placed in charge of overcoming high-stake odds through risky strategic gambits coupled with heart-stopping combat experiences that pit human ingenuity – and frailty – against a foe beyond comprehension. By setting the game in a first-person perspective, players will be able to feel the tension and fear that comes with combating a faceless enemy that is violently probing and plotting its way into our world.

XCOM is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information on XCOM please visit www.XCOM.com.

An avid player of tabletop and video games throughout his life, Conrad has a passion for unique design mechanics and is a nut for gaming history. He can be heard on the comedy podcast (
The mer... more